The synthesis and characterization of a mesomorphic brush type polycarbosilane: poly[1,1-bis(4′-biphenyl)silabutane]

Summary

Poly[1,1-bis(4′-biphenyl)silabutane] (II) has been prepared by the anionic ring opening polymerization of 1,1-bis(4′-biphenyl)silacyclobutane. II shows mesomorphic behavior by DSC. The13C NMR T1 relaxation times have been measured. These are found to be smaller than those of poly(1,1-dimethylsilabutane)by an order of magnitude. This may result from interaction of the highly rigid biphenyl side chain moieties. The thermal stability of II is higher than that for other 1,1-disubstituted polysilabutanes.